Three Kingdoms: Fusion of Entries, Change of Destiny

Chapter 145 If Cao Cao can do it, so can I, Yuan Shao!

Yecheng.

Yuan Shao, who had finally and completely defeated the Black Mountain Army, immediately faced another troublesome matter.

The "Journal of Ten Thousand People" was placed on Yuan Shao's desk at this moment, and everyone in the hall remained silent, not daring to speak.

Looking at the three names "Sima Hui", "Bian Rang" and "Chen Ji" in the signature column, Yuan Shao finally couldn't hold back and completely exploded.

He angrily slammed the scroll in his hand to the ground, his eyes filled with disbelief and rage, and loudly questioned, "Cao Cao! He's just the descendant of a eunuch, how could he invent new paper?"

Why would even renowned scholars like Bian Rang, Sima Hui, and Chen Ji be willing to associate with him?

Didn't you all confidently say that he would be abandoned by the powerful families?
How is it now?!

Everyone lowered their heads, and no one dared to speak up.

Tian Feng stood in the corner, looking at Yuan Shao's face twisted with anger, and sighed inwardly.

When he learned that Cao Cao had begun printing and even selling books using new paper and new printing techniques, he had already anticipated that this day would come sooner or later.

Yuan Shao continued to roar, "Cao Cao surveyed the land and investigated the population, waging such a large-scale war and disrupting the interests of so many powerful families, yet why do so many gentry in Yanzhou still support him?"

Yuan Shao came from a prestigious family that had produced four generations of high-ranking officials. In his view, he should be the one sought after by those famous scholars and gentry.

He couldn't understand why Cao Cao, the descendant of a eunuch, could receive so much support.

Finally, Tian Feng stepped forward. He cupped his hands slightly and said calmly, "It was no accident that Cao Cao was able to gain the support of the gentry."

Yuan Shao suddenly turned around and stared intently at Tian Feng, saying, "Speak!"

There are three reasons why Cao Cao was able to gain the support of great Confucian scholars and gentry.

"Firstly, although Cao Cao came from a family of eunuchs, he himself was a man of great talent and made many achievements in governing the local areas."

The series of policies he implemented in Yanzhou, such as land surveying and population census, may have seemed to harm the interests of some powerful families, but in reality, they benefited the common people, allowing them to live and work in peace and contentment, and naturally they were grateful to Cao Cao.

Those far-sighted gentry, seeing that Cao Cao could bring prosperity and stability to their regions, were willing to support him, since the foundation of the gentry lay with the common people.

Yuan Shao frowned, lost in thought and remained silent.

Tian Feng continued, "Secondly, there is this new paper and the 'Wanmin Journal'."

The invention of new paper greatly reduced the cost of writing, making the dissemination of knowledge much easier.

The "Wanmin Journal" provided a platform for scholars from all over the world to exchange ideas.

Great Confucian scholars such as Bian Rang, Sima Hui, and Chen Ji saw this as an opportunity to spread their ideas.

Publishing their views in the "Journal of Ten Thousand People" allows them to influence more people with their ideas, which is extremely attractive to great Confucian scholars who take it upon themselves to research and disseminate knowledge.

Cao Cao's support for the establishment of such a publication naturally won him the favor of the great Confucian scholars.

Yuan Shao's brows gradually relaxed, and he gave Tian Feng a look, signaling him to continue.

Tian Feng slowly said, "Thirdly, Cao Cao was unconventional in his use of people, and he only valued talent."

His subordinates included scions of prestigious families, as well as many from humble backgrounds but with genuine talent and learning, and even commoners and prisoners.

This method of employing people has given hope to many talented individuals who were limited by their background.

This also allowed those insightful members of the aristocratic class to see Cao Cao's ambition and aspirations.

It is impossible for aristocratic families to be completely eliminated, because even if a group of old aristocratic families are overthrown, a new group of aristocratic families will rise up.

Rather than becoming a stepping stone for future generations, it's better to relinquish some benefits and preserve one's own legacy.

After listening, Yuan Shao remained silent for a long time. Although he was still unwilling, he had to admit that Tian Feng's words made sense.

Tian Feng bent down to pick up the "Wanmin Journal," opened a page, and sighed, "Cao Cao's move was brilliant! He almost instantly reversed his image in the eyes of the scholars." Shen Pei then stepped forward and suggested, "My lord, the Yuan family has held high office for four generations, with students and former officials all over the country, and countless great scholars and famous figures as friends."

If Cao Cao could run the "Journal of Ten Thousand People," why can't we run something similar?

Yuan Shao's eyes lit up, and he suddenly realized, "That's right! If Cao Cao can do it, why can't I, Yuan Shao, do it too?!"

“But Cao Cao controls the new paper, while we can only trade it at high prices…” Ju Shou stepped forward and said worriedly.

Yuan Shao was naturally unwilling to suffer a loss in this matter. He gritted his teeth and said, "Then order the Zhen family to use their relationship with the Yanzhou Chamber of Commerce to buy up and stockpile large quantities of new paper!"

Then, Yuan Shao looked at Xu You and asked, "Ziyuan, have your spies discovered the secrets of the new paper and printing technology?"

Xu You cupped his hands and said with a wry smile, "My lord, the new household registration system has been implemented in Yanzhou, and those aristocratic families and gentry have severed ties with us... My spies are finding it difficult to move an inch in Yanzhou, let alone investigate any secrets..."

Yuan Shao's eyes twitched slightly, but at least now there was a way to deal with Cao Cao, which finally allowed him to breathe a sigh of relief.

……

Inside the governor's mansion in Xuzhou, Liu Bei was also holding a copy of "Wanmin Xuekan" (a journal for all people), his brows furrowed.

After reading it, Liu Bei sighed and said to Guan Yu and Zhang Fei beside him, "Cao Cao's move was truly brilliant."

This new paper and the "Journal of Ten Thousand People" will surely have a profound impact on the world.

If Xuzhou could also possess such a powerful tool for spreading knowledge, why would we worry about the people not being enlightened, or about the lack of talented individuals gathering there?

Guan Yu stroked his beard and said, "Brother, Cao Cao's move has greatly increased his reputation, and it is indeed something we should learn from! Wasn't Sun Gongyou's teacher a great Confucian scholar? We could also start a journal and publish his articles!"

Liu Bei slapped his thigh and said, "How could I not have thought of that?! Second brother, let's do as you say!"

“Me too!” Zhang Fei chimed in.

……

Liu Biao, the governor of Jingzhou, was also reading the "Wanmin Journal" in his study at that moment.

His expression shifted between light and shadow, and he thought to himself, "Cao Cao's publication is indeed quite good."

Liu Biao always considered himself superior and liked to associate with famous scholars.

He knew that once the "Wanmin Journal" became widely circulated, it would attract more literati to Yanzhou.

"My lord," Kuai Yue said, standing to the side, "Cao Cao's move is aimed at seizing control of the intellectual community. How should we respond?"

After much deliberation, Liu Biao said, "Let's send someone to Chenliu first to find out the specific operation of the 'Wanmin Xuekan' before making any plans."

……

When Yuan Shu saw the "Wanmin Journal", he looked disdainful.

He tossed the book aside and sneered, "Cao Cao is just playing some petty tricks. A new sheet of paper and a publication can change the course of the world? That's a joke. My Yuan family has held high office for four generations, with deep roots. How could Cao Cao compare?"

The strategist Yang Hong stood to the side, cautiously advising, "My lord, Cao Cao's new paper and academic journal have given him considerable prestige among scholars. We should..."

"Hmph!" Yuan Shu snorted coldly, interrupting Yang Hong.

In his eyes, Cao Cao was always the descendant of a eunuch, and even if he had some achievements, they were not worthy of being called "refined."

A single book can help him conquer the world? That's a joke!

Since his crushing defeat in the Battle of Yanzhou, Yuan Shu has no longer been as obedient to Yang Hong as before.

Yang Hong could see this as well, so after Yuan Shu refuted his point of view, he shut up and stopped trying to persuade him.

(End of this chapter)